Family Context and Outness among LGB Individuals: Associations with Self-Acceptance and Anxiety

Abstract

This study examined relationships among age, outness, self-acceptance, anxiety, parental support, and parents’ political orientation in 77 LGB individuals. Older participants reported higher levels of disclosure across family and public contexts, but lower self-acceptance. A longer period passing since becoming aware of their sexual identity was associated with greater disclosure, higher self-acceptance, and lower anxiety. Disclosure to parents was linked to higher perceived parental support, but not to self-acceptance or anxiety. Outness was consistent across contexts except in religious settings, and maternal conservatism was associated with lower disclosure.